The Applicant, in alleging breach of the duty to uphold public trust and confidence in the solicitors’ profession and breach of the duty to act with integrity, relied upon the Respondent’s conviction at Newcastle Crown Court on 26 March 2025 for the offence of sexual assault contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The certificate of conviction dated 4 March 2026 stood as conclusive proof of the underlying facts upon which the conviction was based pursuant to Rule 32 of the Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019 (SDPR 2019).

The Court of Appeal Criminal Division dismissed the Respondent’s appeal against conviction on 16 January 2026. On 18 March 2026, the Court of Appeal refused the Certificate of General Public Importance which was necessary for the appeal to proceed to the Supreme Court.

The Respondent did not accept the facts underlying the conviction and stated that he had lodged a further appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). He acknowledged in communications with the Applicant and in his Answer, however, that, notwithstanding his express denial of the criminal allegations of which he had been convicted, he was not able to rebut the Applicant’s case until such time as the conviction was overturned. On that basis he accepted the breaches of the Principles as alleged.

The Tribunal considered Rule 32 SDPR, determined that the case was properly made out, and ordered that the Respondent be struck off the Roll of Solicitors.